Future ATSIMA Conferences
Due to the global pandemic caused by COVID-19, the ATSIMA 2020 conference was postponed. ATSIMA sincerely apologises to everyone for the consequences of this unfortunate development. If you would like to be kept in the loop with further updates, email melindapearson@atsima.org.
ATSIMA’s previous conferences established the need to have a Revolution in mathematics education to improve educational outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander learners. The theme for the proposed ATSIMA 2021: Nhe Waŋana Nhe Djämamirriyaŋana: Speak It, You Create It, continues this idea of a revolution in education.
Nhe Waŋana (Speak It) refers to the importance of valuing all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages in education. It refers to a need for a bilingual education where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander learners have the opportunity to learn in their language throughout their educational journey.
All languages encapsulate important concepts about the world. Nhe Djämamirriyaŋana (You Create It) is about understanding these important concepts, their relationship to mathematics and how we can create a better education for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander learners that values their culture. This in turn, will create a better understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture, its sophistication, its complexity and its connection to mathematics for non-Indigenous students across Australia.
The conference will be shaped by the philosophies that have underpinned the development of Garma Mathematics at Yirrkala Community School and, through this structure, we will explore what it means to understand mathematics from Yolŋu perspectives, other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives, and Western perspectives. From moving through these different cultural landscapes, we build stronger connections and work together to reshape mathematics for all students.
Further information about the rescheduling of the conference will be provided when possible.
Contact Melinda Pearson if you have any questions.